D.O. Bierzo

The DO area is located in the extreme northwest of the Spanish region of Castilla y León. The vineyards cover over 4,000 hectares of vines at an altitude of 400 to 800 metres above sea level, with over 20 municipalities on clayey heavy soils, as well as quartzite and slate in the mountainous areas. A moderate, mild climate prevails. The clearly dominant grape variety, covering about three quarters of the area, is Mencía, which must be present in 70% of the red wines. Other red wine varieties are Garnacha Tintorera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Syrah, Prieto Picudo and Petit Verdot. The white wine varieties are Godello, Palomino, Doña Blanca and Malvasia. Well-known producers are Agribergidum, Castro Ventosa, Cepas del Bierzo, Descendientes de José Palacios (Álvaro Palacios), Dominio de Tares, Estefanía, Guerra, Paixar, Pérez Caramés, Pittacum and Prada a Tope.